What happiness tastes like

About Us

Jen Winter – Owner/Chocolatier

Owner, Jen Winter, is a self-professed chocolate snob! She has had a fondness for chocolate for as long as she can remember. For Jen, the darker the chocolate the better, but her selection of milk and white chocolate creations are also sure to please.

Jen lives in the Westboro area with her husband and young son and has been involved with the business side of koko as an advisor since 2008. She brings with her a wealth of chocolate knowledge and a passion for small business. Her training includes an extensive apprenticeship with Lori Sword and training at the expert level at the Barry Callebaut Chocolate Academy with Chef Derrick Tu Tan Pho.

Prior to koko chocolates, Jen spent over a decade working in the market research industry and has successfully run other small businesses in Calgary and Victoria. Her passion for chocolate and entrepreneurial spirit will take koko to new levels.

I’m thrilled you found your way to the koko chocolates website and would love to have the opportunity to acquaint you with our unique and delectable chocolate creations. Bon appetit!

History of koko chocolates

koko chocolates was founded in 2008 by Ottawa-native and chocolatier Lori Sword. You might say that her love affair with chocolate began at an early age. As a young girl she always loved baking and sharing her chocolate-filled creations with family and friends.

To begin her chocolatier training, Lori apprenticed with a chocolatier in Vancouver, BC. Her skills were mastered while attending programs at Ecole Chocolat, the Cordon Bleu Culinary Institute with Chef Herve Chabert, and culminated with an expert level program at the Barry Callebaut Chocolate Academy with Chef Derrick Tu Tan Pho.

Prior to koko chocolates Lori was an itinerant teacher of the deaf and hard of hearing. The name “kōkō chocolates" was born from Lori’s linguistic background, with “kōkō" being the phonetic spelling of “cocoa". Lori’s passion for teaching in this field led her to leave koko chocolates and pursue her Masters degree in Audiology at Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia in January 2011.

"An amazing truffle experience from someone who has eaten a lot of truffles."

-Krista H.

Special Occasions

Do you have an upcoming wedding, anniversary, baby shower or other special event? All of life's special occasions should be celebrated with chocolate! Click here to let us show you how.